Minnesota · Hennepin County
Independence Lake Ice-Out Dates
The ice usually goes out of Independence Lake around April 2 — the first week of April. Earliest ever: March 7 (2017). Latest: May 4 (2018).
The 2027 season
Tracking resumes when the ice forms.
Every recorded ice-out
17 years on the books, 1983–2026. Newest first.
| Year | Ice-out date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | March 31 |
| 2025 | March 25 |
| 2023 | April 15 |
| 2022 | April 14 |
| 2021 | March 29 |
| 2020 | April 1 |
| 2019 | April 18 |
| 2018 | May 4 |
| 2017 | March 7 |
| 2016 | March 15 |
| 2015 | April 2 |
| 2014 | April 21 |
| 2013 | April 30 |
| 2012 | March 18 |
| 2008 | April 22 |
| 2007 | March 30 |
| 1983 | April 13 |
When Independence freezes over
Independence Lake usually freezes over around December 5 — the first week of December. Earliest on record: November 20 (2014–15). Latest: December 21 (2015–16).
A freeze-up crosses New Year, so each row is the winter it belongs to: the winter of 2025–26 froze on December 4. Newest first.
| Winter | Ice-in date |
|---|---|
| 2025–26 | December 4 |
| 2024–25 | December 5 |
| 2019–20 | December 2 |
| 2018–19 | November 28 |
| 2017–18 | December 8 |
| 2015–16 | December 21 |
| 2014–15 | November 20 |
| 2013–14 | November 27 |
| 2012–13 | December 11 |
| 2009–10 | December 3 |
| 2007–08 | December 6 |
| 2006–07 | December 5 |
| 1992–93 | December 5 |
Records: Minnesota DNR ice-in records. Last checked August 2026.
Late ice is unpredictable — no date on this page says the ice is safe.
Records: Minnesota DNR ice-out records. Last checked August 2026.